FDA Begins the Process of Revoking Breast Cancer Medication

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Food and Drug Administration has begun the process of revoking Avastin, a medication that is used to treat metastatic breast cancer. The FDA statement says in part: "The agency is making this recommendation after reviewing the results of four clinical studies of Avastin in women with breast cancer and determining that the data indicate that the drug does not prolong overall survival in breast cancer patients or provide a sufficient benefit in slowing disease progression to outweigh the significant risk to patients." The risks outweigh the benefits of taking the drug: "The risks include severe high blood pressure; bleeding and hemorrhage; the development of holes in the body, including in the nose, stomach and intestines; and heart attack or heart failure."

Revocation of the drug is a process that will take some time. Avastin can still be used until it is officially revoked. Despite its use for breast cancer treatment, it is still approved as a drug treatment for kidney, brain and lung cancers. Cancer is a beast as it is, so it's a good thing that the FDA is paying attention to the side effects of this drug, which can clearly cause additional pain and anguish.